Utriculimermis microcaudata n. gen., n. sp., a new genus and species of Mermithidae (Nematoda) of the rivers Lafnitz and Teigitsch in the southeastern Austrian Alps
AbstractUtriculimermis microcaudata n. gen., n. sp. (Nematoda: Mermithidae) is described from the hyporheic biotope of two running waters in southeastern Austria. The mermithids were sampled by pumping and with a modified 'Hess'-sampler. The characteristics of this new genus are: long body length, a very long pharynx which attains about 95% of the body length, six head papillae, mouth opening terminal, six hypodermal chords at midbody level, excretory pore present near the nerve ring, small cupshaped amphids, cuticula lacking cross fibres under light microscope, males with long slightly curved spiculum, very large number of genital papillae, vulva slightly curved to barrel-shaped with vulval flap, postparasitic juveniles with very short tail appendage often only present as a button-like nipple.